On the subject of new SMU's

[mufreight]

Have there been any sightings of the new units in operation either doing acceptance trials or driver training? 
With the additional drivers now avaliable to operate them there can no longer be any excuse for them not to be being brought into service now and additional services operated. 
Please post any sighting reports, 
Thank you.

[mufreight]

Still no sightings of the new SMU's which would seem to add weight to the Translink espoused statement that there is no intention by that body to either place the new units in service or add any additional services prior to the introduction of the new timetables in September.
Minister Mickles toy train collection still sits on the shelf to be admired but not used, not a good thought for overcrowded commuters.
Ask your local MP, his/her answers might be interesting even if not the truth.
Cheers

[mufreight]

Seems still no sightings of the new SMU sets, can anyone give a heads up on these sets?
Cheers

[Derwan]

I've been keeping an eye out for them, but haven't seen any in operation or testing yet.

[brad C]

A six car SMU 260 series has been parked at the extreme edge of the electric servicing area at Mayne for some weeks. This was originally in the new western stabling area.
I believe these sets are 261 and 262. I have seen these in test mode on the NCL, north of Caboolture some months back.
Pantographs are up and lighting is on of an evening.
These are definetely new SMUs as there are no blackened out areas adjacent to the drivers cabs which are the toilet areas in the new IMUs.
Methinks there will be a grand entrance at Ekka time.
(The SMU 220 series were first observed at exhibition time 2000)
However, don't hold your breath in anticiaption of a mass introduction as there have been no sightings of any further completed sets from Maryborough as at today's date.

[mufreight]

Does anyone have sightings of the latest SMU's completed or released from the builders at Marybrough or the units presently under build there?
Cheers.

[Derwan]

I haven't been up to Maryborough again to visit the folks.  Might have to head up one weekend.

[johnnigh]

Citytrain website 'fleet' page doesn't seem to mention the new sets at all!

[ozbob]

Report at Rail Page suggests  SMU 261/262 might be out on a test run on Caboolture and GC lines today (27th July).

QR has used the Ekka Loop Services as an opportunity to 'launch' new trains in years gone by.  Maybe this might occur this year?

[yobborobbo21]

Report at Rail Page suggests  SMU 261/262 might be out on a test run on Caboolture and GC lines today (27th July).

Can confirm as i crossed 261/262 at Ormeau at 13:44 today

[ozbob]

Ripper, they are out and about.

Thanks for the report yobborobbo!

[glossyblack]

Hi all,
I posted info re SMUs 263-266 inclusive which I last saw at Maryborough (in various stages of fit out) on June 28. I recall it was 265 with a high gantry around the lead car (panto fit maybe) and very confusing signage one car with both Citytrain above blue Translink on side beside first door.. Have not had cause to go to town, but if no ones talkin' about them I presume they're still there. Cliff

[ozbob]

I noticed a new SMU heading up between Oxley and Darra about 1.45pm this afternoon.

Too far away to notice anything else, but definitely a SMU.

[yobborobbo21]

I crossed 261/262 at Narangba at around 15:25 today heading back into town.

[Derwan]

Every door was open this morning on the 2 new SMU units sitting in Mayne.  (I assume they're 261/262 unless more have been delivered.)  I guess this is part of testing?

[ozbob]

There was a report of 261/262 at Ipswich yesterday, test run.

Guess they will be rolled out for the Ekka?

[brad C]

261 and 262 were observed yesterday between Carseldine and Bald Hills at approx 1030hrs, heading northwards on a "Test Train". I presume this test run was made on the through corridor back to or from Ipswich.
This morning, the siamese twins were observed in the new stabling yards at Mayne accompanied by a third unit, most likely 263.
Given that exhibition loop services are formed from morning Bowen Hills or Roma Street terminators, in the main, it is unlikely these units will see exhibition traffic today, 7th August.
I still believe at some point over the 10 day show we will see them in revenue traffic, most likely corresponding to a Ministerial Press Release.

Brad C

[ozbob]

SMU 261 and 262 are on the Ekka loops today (Monday 11 August 2008).

[stephenk]

....and today. 

[brad C]

This is great news for commuters that additional suburban rolling stock is at last in service.
I wonder if they will form an evening peak service that would normally originate from the Mayne stabling yard?
263 looked very lonely this morning in the stabling area - I wonder if they will wait for delivery of a further set before placing it into service as a 6 car train?
Brad C 

[david]

I also saw the very new and sleek SMU 261 and 262 passing through Brunswick Street at around 5:45pm as an Ekka service. I was surprised to see that the doors on the new SMU's are plug doors and not the slide doors like on the older SMU's...

On a side note, they have taken down the construction barriers on Platforms 1&2 at Brunswick Street. It seems to be near completion now...only a few more finishing touches required.

[ozbob]

Here they are!  Thanks to mufreight for the photographs!











Photographs mufreight 11 August 2008

[Arnz]

261 and 262 reported to be on Airport-GC runs this evening peak. 

EDIT: On a sidenote, IMU16x (cant remember number) operated in place of the ICE on the 6:03pm Roma Street-Nambour evening peak service.

[brad C]

Sorry to dispel your enthusiasm Arnz. XL13 (1803hrs ex Roma Street to Nambour was worked by a five car ICE set on both Monday and Tuesday of this week. An airport service follows this service so you may have witnessed IMU 160s on that service.
I was an unfortunate crushed commuter on both days - (why 5 cars I ask, when there are disused ICE sets at Mayne that are almost rusted to the track)
On two occasions last week, XL13 (renumbered TL13) was worked with a 100 series IMU.(6 cars each time).

This train is painfully slow, and departs Central at 1806hrs, at the same time as an all stopper to Caboolture and yet invariably fails to overtake its parallel until Northgate or even further out -pathetic for an express!!!

Brad C

[ozbob]

SMU 262/261 shortly after arrival at platform 9 Roma St ex Exhibition about 8.30pm with a full load of happy but tired Ekka patrons.



Photograph R Dow 14 August 2008

[brad C]

I was surprised to see that the doors on the new SMU's are plug doors and not the slide doors like on the older SMU's...

Apart from the deletion of the toilets, there seems little change from the IMUs.
This also includes the 5 large klaxon horns sitting right above the driver's screen, which should be a welcome addition to those poor souls residing within 2 kms of a level crossing.
Note the Perth sets only have 2 small horns in the same location, whilst the new OSCAR sets in NSW have Klaxons located off the cow catchers, similar to the Tangaras.
With such a small change to detail, one would think that production and delivery times would be accelerated.
Does anyone else recall the fast delivery rates of the EMUs?
Brad C

[ButFli]

SMU 262/261 shortly after arrival at platform 9 Roma St ex Exhibition about 8.30pm with a full load of happy but tired Ekka patrons.

I spotted them on the Exhibition run at Roma Street Platform 9 at 6:24PM and  then terminating what I assume was the Exhibition run at Brunswick Street Platform 4 at 10:29PM.

This morning SMU262 arrived by itself at Roma Street Platform 6 at 8:20AM on its way to Bowen Hills. I wonder what happened to its friend?

[brismike]

So what units are actually in operation right now . . that is end of December 2008?

I'd be interested to know the numbers of the new IMU Units and the SMU units that are being used.

I have only seen these ones

IMU - 161, 164, 165, 168, 173, 174, 176 (How high do these ones go to?)
SMU - 261, 262, 263, 264

Plus what is in the pipeline also . . i'e rusting to the rails in Maryborough or somewhere else?

[ozbob]

I saw SMU 265 out on the Ferny Grove line yesterday (see --> http://backontrack.org/mbs/index.php?topic=1708.0 )

[Mozz]

Does this mean, reading the previous two posts in this thread, that since 2004 or 2005 from the initial order (I can't remember it was so long ago) that only 12x3 car sets have been put into service on the network?

[ozbob]

16 as far as I am aware. 

See http://www.corporate.qr.com.au/Images/ANNUAL_REPORT_2007_08_tcm15-25250.pdf  Page 30

8 + 20 more to come by 2010?

Cheers
Bob

[Arnz]

All 16x IMUs from the first order are in service.  I've seen SMU267 on a Bowen Hills service today (assumably from Cleveland).  So nearly all 160/260 class MUs from the first order are in service.

Also sighted on another forum, SMU269 and SMU270 are reportedly in the Bombardier-EDI sheds.

[Mozz]

That's a bit better - roll them out as quickly as possible I say - from travelling experiences and feedback from colleagues, I suggest many of the older units are well in need of some TLC - doors broken, air conditioning completely broken or barely working in some or all carriages.

[mufreight]

Just goes to prove the statements by the Premier are simply so much spin and hot air as if the rollout of the new units were as she stated in a media release all sets including 270 would have been in service in early November which at this time would mean that at the present time that deliveries are something like six months behind schedule which is not bad since it is only something like 10 months since Captain Bligh and Minister Muckup gave the commuters their assurances.
Roll on the election, it will probably come soonerthan the deliveries of the new SMU's

[ButFli]

Just a quick question on the SMU260's, guys.

Is there an actual SMU260 anywhere? Did they start numbering from 261?

[Arnz]

Just a quick question on the SMU260's, guys.

Is there an actual SMU260 anywhere? Did they start numbering from 261?

Theres photos on the units in this actual thread!!!!!  Re-read the thread.

Also to add (edit), SMU260s are basically allocated to any service all over the network including the Gold Coast and North Coast Lines.  261 for example was on the Cooroy service at one point last week.

[ButFli]

Just a quick question on the SMU260's, guys.

Is there an actual SMU260 anywhere? Did they start numbering from 261?

Theres photos on the units in this actual thread!!!!!  Re-read the thread.

The lowest numbered SMU mentioned in this thread is 261. There is no mention of a number 260 anywhere which leads me to repeat my question; Did they start numbering at 261?

[ozbob]

I haven't seen or heard of 260 either Butfli.  I will try to find out.

Regards
Bob

[brad C]

If one looks at recent deliveries of interurbam and suburban rollingstock, there are no foundation class leaders, viz:
SMU Mk1 - numbers 201 - 212
SMU Mk2 - numbers 221 - 250
IMU Mk1 - numbers 101 - 112
IMU Mk2 - numbers 121 - 124
IMU Mk3 - numbers 161 - 174

This numbering has also continued for locomotives in recent decades, viz
3900 class freighters - 3901 - 3930
New 3800 coal locos - 3801, 3802, .....
4000 class locos - 4001 onwards

Hope this helps friends 

[mufreight]

Since it appears that Bombader/EDI is incapable of delivering the sets on order on time perhaps the government should consider building some if not all of the next batch of sets in the QR workshops, the car shells could be built and fitted out and the electricial equipment could then be installed by the component suppliers as a joint venture, QR has over time built passenger rollingstock and the standards of the worksmanship has been high so why contract this work out to others to make a profit who it would seem are incapable of meeting the contract commitments.